Levi Lewis is the front runner to become the starting quarterback.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior has been taking the majority of first-team offense reps under center, and did so again during the team’s first scrimmage on Saturday. Napier was impressed with what he saw not only from Lewis but all of his signal callers but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
“The quarterback group needs to take care of the ball better,” UL second-year head coach Billy Napier said. “Levi had a good day with the exception of one play. His QB rating was over 150, he had 260 yards passing, two touchdowns, but he did throw to the other team.”
“The biggest thing for me is to clean up the details,” Lewis said. “I just got greedy seeing my guy Calif (Gossett). I just got to stick to the basics. Stick to what coach taught me.”
Secondary a Strength
Napier feels that the secondary is far stronger that a season ago.
During Monday’s press conference, the Cajuns head coach mentioned how much better the team with returning upperclassmen such as Michael Jacquet, Terik Miller, Deuce Wallace, Cameron Solomon, and Kamar Greenhouse.
Napier also expressed how much the younger players such as Bralen Trahan, Amir McDaniel and Asjlin Washington have impressed him. Napier signaled out Washington and Greenhouse in particular as players that could make a leap during camp — especially with an injury to Jacquet.
“AJ Washington is in postion to take advantage of that,” Napier said. “Kamar has played well. We see more consistency with him. Everybody around him believes in him.”
Vallot Performing Well
Shane Vallot continues to impress the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching staff.
The former Comeaux High star, who has gone from walk-on to scholarship player, has been lining up at center with the first-team offense during fall camp — replacing former starter Cole Prudhomme who tore his ACL.
Napier said that Vallot has handled the responsibilities well.
“He has really played well,” Napier said. “I think he is well respected. He has good leadership. He does a good job of communicating inside and out. We are very pleased with him.”
Napier said the bigger battle in camp is who will backup Vallot at center. Napier mentioned on Monday that Ken Marks, Spencer Gardner among others are in the mix for that backup spot.
Garror At Punt Returner
Eric Garror has established himself as the starter at punt returner for the Ragin’ Cajuns. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound sophomore has impressed Napier and his staff with his ability to to not return punts but to field them cleanly.
“He has really separated himself from the pack,” Napier said. “He is a guy that if we started, played a game today, he would start.”
Garror appeared in 11 games in 2018 as he recorded 22 total tackles, 13 solo stops, with 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 4 pass defensed.
Wishman Placed on Scholarship
🤟 In the #cULture, everything is 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗. @TjWisham23 embraced it.
Congratulations, TJ, and thank you to @BLWalkOn for delivering this morning's motivational talk (and big news)! pic.twitter.com/InTJYiAyKs
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) August 12, 2019
Redshirt sophomore running back TJ Wishman has been placed on scholarship. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound former Episcopal star becomes the 13th former walk-on to be put placed on scholarship since head coach Billy Napier took over the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Napier said Wishman is more than deserving.
“TJ is very deserving,” Napier said. “Not only is heck of football player. He is outstanding football player and young man.”
Injury Updates
Redshirt junior linebacker Tanner Wiggins has torn his ACL and will miss the entire 2019 season. The former Central Catholic of Morgan City star is coming off a season in which he appeared in nine games recording 10 tackles and two tackles for loss. Cornerback Michael Jacquet has a turf toe injury and will one to two weeks, while running back and former Erath star Elijah Mitchell has a bit an Achilles issue and will likely miss four to five days.
Quote of the Day
“The things we need to clean up are the things most teams to clean up at this point in camp.” — UL head coach Billy Napier on where his team is at entering the second week of fall camp